Danegeld

Danegeld (dānˈgĕldˌ) [key], medieval land tax originally raised to buy off raiding Danes and later used for military expenditures. In England the tribute was first levied in 868, then in 871 by Alfred, and occasionally thereafter. Under Æthelred (965?–1016) it became a regular tax, and was collected by later rulers until the 12th cent., when it was converted into tallage.